Dispose Your Household Hazardous Waste Today

When residents begin to get their homes ready for the upcoming winter season, they may find household materials that may pose a hazardous risk to the environment and public safety. The fall is a great time to get rid of these unwanted item in a safe and easy way. Unusable or unwanted chemicals are considered household hazardous waste when their disposal poses an environmental or health threat. When disposed of in the garbage, down the drain or on the ground, some household chemicals can threaten our environment, harm garbage collectors or hurt you. 

Most household hazardous wastes are hazardous because they are flammable, corrosive or toxic. Characteristic words indicate the type of hazard posed by a product - flammable, corrosive or toxic. Look for the signal words on the label. Signal words - caution, warning, danger, poison - indicate the product's degree of hazard. To help protect the environment and your health, choose the least hazardous product to get the job done. For more information contact Kris Larson, Water Resource Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

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Fall is a Great Time to Plant!

Do you want to start a new garden or fill in some gaps? Fall is a great time to plant. The soil is still warm and promotes good root growth and the cooler weather and fall rainfall reduce heat stress on new plants. Select plants based on the area's soil moisture and light exposure. Blue Thumb's Plant Finder is a great tool for selecting native plants and has a list of MN native plant nurseries. Protect pollinators! - Be sure the plants you buy were not grown with systemic pesticides such as neonicotinoids, which are highly toxic to bees and other pollinators.

Choose plants to create habitat for birds and pollinators. Find bird-friendly native plants with Audubon's plant database. Select plants that flower from spring to fall to provide pollen and nectar for pollinators. Learn more about pollinator preferences and include host plants in your garden. Join ACD and help plant pollinator gardens throughout Anoka County. Learn more and sign up here. For more information contact Carrie Taylor, Restoration Ecologist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

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Natural Resources Funding on the Ballot this November

Since its establishment in 1988, the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) has invested over one billion dollars in environmental projects "for the public purpose of protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state's air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources." The constitutional dedication of these funds is set to expire in 2025, but Minnesota residents can vote this November to rededicate them through 2050. A 'Yes' vote supports this measure, whereas a 'No' vote opposes it. If left blank on the ballot, it will be counted as a 'No' vote.  

Funding for the ENRTF originates from Minnesota State Lottery proceeds and is administered by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources. It is a substantial source of long-term and stable funding for a variety of organizations and projects throughout the state, supporting efforts tied to improving water quality, habitat, recreation, outreach and education, renewable energy, and more. Learn more about the ENRTF and find a full list of the 1,700(+) projects it has supported HERE. For more information contact Breanna Keith, Water Resource Specialist at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Watershed Grants Becoming More Predictable

We secure lots of grants at ACD. They are a mainstay of our funding; we do not levy taxes. For our water quality projects, grants are changing significantly with a recent program called Watershed Based Implementation Funding (WBIF). These recurring grants are providing the foundation for sustained, cohesive programs rather than a start-and-stop approach.

Historically, grants were competitive. And many still are. We complete a lengthy application process and our proposals are scored against others. The grant lasts a few years and is done. This continues to work well for many of our largest, stand-alone projects. In fact, ACD has applied for a half dozen of them in just the last few months. 

Photo: ACD staff installing a shoreline stabilization on Lake George.

New WBIF funding is not competitive, not awarded to one agency, recurs every two years, and the dollars go to a watershed area. Local agencies in that watershed collaborate together to decide how to best utilize the money. The watershed must have one or more locally- and state-approved plans to guide their decisions. Instead of competing against one another, local managers are collaboratively deciding on the projects with the best return on investment.

ACD hosted a Rum River metro-watershed WBIF grant for the last three years. The grant is closing and we're pleased to report on some outcomes that included 9 Lake George shoreline stabilizations; 1 Rum Riverbank stabilization; 6 rain gardens in the City of Anoka; 1 swale stabilization in St. Francis; subwatershed studies that identify and rank projects for Ford Brook, East Twin Lake, and Pickerel Lake; a bunch of water quality public outreach, and more. Additional Rum metro WBIF funds have been received in 2022 and 2024, and work is underway.

WBIF grants are for water quality improvements that are the mutual priorities of watershed managers. ACD continues to utilize a variety of grants for other types of projects, such as pollinator plantings, easements, habitat, and more. For more information contact, Watershed Projects Manager, Jamie Schurbon at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Donate Native Wildflower Seed!

You can contribute to ACD's efforts to enhance habitats across Anoka County by collecting wildflower seed! You can send us a picture of the plant if you're uncertain of the ID. You can tell that seeds are ready to collect when they are dry and hardened. Milkweed plants produce large seed pods. Their seeds are ready to collect when the pods begin to brown in color and split open with gentle pressure. We prefer that seed is detached from its fluff. See an example of how to clean milkweed seed

Photo: Milkweed seeds collected by ACD staff. Milkweed seeds are ready when the pod turns from green to brown and splits open easily. The seeds should be brown and hardened. Allow the seed to air dry after collecting to prevent mold.

When collecting seed, please follow these guidelines:

  1. Never collect more than 1/3 of available seeds from a given area.
  2. Always have landowner permission before collecting seeds. Do not collect seeds from public lands without a permit!
See the Monarch Joint Venture or Xerces site for more tips and videos. Please include a note listing the species, your name, and where the seed was collected. You can drop off native seed or mail it in to the ACD office: 1318 McKay Drive NE, Suite 300, Ham Lake 55304. Direct any questions to Logan Olson, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Thanks for contributing to habitat enhancement in Anoka County! 
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Lake Friendly Landscaping Can Also Be Recreation Friendly

Lakes provide habitat for wildlife, recreation opportunities, and natural beauty. Yet, our everyday landscaping choices can negatively impact these vital bodies of water.
Lake-friendly landscaping provides many benefits, and purposeful design can ensure you don't need to compromise access to the water or lakeside recreation opportunities.

What Is Lake-Friendly Landscaping?
Lake-friendly landscaping focuses on reducing pollution and preserving the health of our lakes. It involves making mindful choices in how we design and maintain our outdoor spaces to minimize runoff, limit chemical use, and support natural habitats.

Top Tips for Lake-Friendly Landscaping
1. Minimize Lawn Area: Lawns often need a lot of water and fertilizer, which can lead to nutrient-laden runoff. Reducing lawn space and incorporating groundcovers or mulched areas can help decrease runoff and save time on maintenance.

2. Install a Native Plant Buffer: Native plants are adapted to our local environment, requiring less water, fertilizers, and pesticides. A buffer of native grasses, flowers, shrubs, and trees can serve as a natural filter, trapping pollutants and preventing them from reaching the water. Native plant root systems also help reduce soil erosion, both along the shoreline and upslope, preventing excess nutrients from washing into lakes. If you prefer a more formal garden appearance, cluster plants of the same species throughout the area to create a planned look. Frame your lake view by planting taller species along the property boundaries and shorter species toward the center. 

Photo: Demonstrates the conversion of a turf grass lawn to native plants while still maintaining dock access, canoe storage, seating area, and a lakeside fire pit.

3. Manage Stormwater Runoff: Be intentional about where runoff from your property is routed. Directing runoff to rain gardens, permeable areas, or rain barrels will reduce the volume of runoff carrying pollutants directly to the lake.

4. Educate and Involve the Community: Spread the good news; share these practices with neighbors and participate in local conservation efforts. Community-wide adoption of lake-friendly landscaping can have a significant positive impact.

To learn more about lake friendly landscaping contact Mitch Haustein, Stormwater & Shoreland Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Building Resilient Rural Communities

Calling all city council members, county commissioners, planning commissions, watershed supervisors, board of adjustment members, and other community leaders! Join us for a FREE evening workshop on practical approaches to building resilient communities and protecting water resources in the Lower St. Croix Watershed.

Learn about:

  • Tools available to help guide where and how development happens
  • Strategies for preserving rural and agricultural areas
  • Approaches to protect lakes and shorelines
  • Cost-effective strategies to reduce stormwater pollution

Register at https://tinyurl.com/stcroixwowland

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Anoka Conservation District Staff Submit a Slew of Proposals for 2025 Grant Funding

ACD operates largely on grant funding. Securing grants enables ACD to provide beneficial services to the public without significantly impacting local taxpayers. In order to keep things progressing smoothly, we dovetail grants, which each allow three to five years to complete, so some grants are being wrapped up while others are coming on line. To lay the foundation for 2025 and beyond, we recently secured several grants and applied for others.  

Recent Awards ($756K)

  • Soil Health ($20K) – cost share projects that improve water quality and/or soil productivity.
  • Pollinator Pathways ($92K) – cost share for projects that provide habitat and connectivity for at-risk pollinators.
  • Rum River Metro Watershed Based Implementation Funding - Clean Water Fund ($569K) – analysis, outreach, and projects that improve water quality in priority local water resources in the Rum River Watershed portion of Anoka County.
  • Sunrise River Watershed Based Implementation Funding - Clean Water Fund ($75K) - analysis and projects that improve water quality in priority local water resources in the Sunrise River Watershed portion of Anoka County.

Recent Applications ($5,751K)

  • Rum River Enhancement, Phase 3- Outdoor Heritage Fund ($1,974K) – Rum River improvements through projects that stabilize eroding riverbanks, reconnect floodplains, restore wild rice populations, and restore adjacent wetlands, forests and prairies
  • Anoka Sandplain Partnership, Phase 10 - Outdoor Heritage Fund ($2,573K) – ecological enhancement and protection through restoration and preservation programs and projects
  • Enhanced Street Sweeping Integrated into 11-County Sub-Watershed Analyses - Clean Water Fund ($330K) – analysis of street sweeping protocols to identify strategies to improve water quality by strategically redirecting current efforts
  • Ditch 20 Wetland Restoration Benefiting Typo & Martin Lakes - Clean Water Fund ($221K) – restore hydrology in a large wetland complex upstream of Typo Lake to improve water quality
  • Drinking Water Protection Through Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems Fix Ups ($200K) – provide cost share funds to repair or replace failing septic systems to protect surface and ground water quality
  • Targeted Mississippi River Bank Stabilization Focused on Bioengineering, Round 3 - Clean Water Fund ($383K) – provide technical and financial assistance to property owners to address eroding riverbanks on the Mississippi River
  • Protecting Groundwater Quality in Anoka County Through Targeted Well Sealing, Phase 2 - Clean Water Fund ($70K) – provide cost share to seal unused wells to protect drinking water quality
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Check Out ACD's Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities!

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Tour ACD Projects!

Photo: Screenshot of interactive map of ACD projects throughout Anoka County

ACD serves all of Anoka County's 369,000 residents, spanning 284,000 acres, 72 lakes, 446 miles of streams and rivers and critical groundwater resources. ACD staff have been busy working on projects to improve and maintain natural resource throughout Anoka County. Projects include lakeshore & streambank stabilizations, rain gardens, habitat restorations, and many more. Learn more about what is going on in your neighborhood by taking an interactive project tour today! For more information contact Kathy Berkness, Office Administrator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

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Lakeshore Repairs on Lake George

Photo: Before
Photo: After
Photo: Before
Photo: After

In 2023, ACD coordinated the installation of several lakeshore restorations on Lake George, in northwestern Anoka County. High lake levels this spring, mixed with heavy winds, resulted in several of the projects being damaged. This summer, ACD staff and a Conservation Corps field crew were able to make repairs and enhance the projects so that they will be prepared for future weather events. For more information contact Brian Clark, Natural Resource Technician, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

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Cedar Tree Revetment's Lasting Impact on the Rum River

Cedar tree revetments are a low cost, environmentally friendly option to address eroding streambanks. Cedar revetments use Eastern red cedar trees to serve as natural armor, providing protection along eroding riverbanks. Revetments will slow or stop erosion during the project's lifespan and reduce the likelihood of a much larger and more expensive corrective project in the future. Riverbank erosion contributes sediment and other pollutants into waterways, reduces riparian habitat, and results in property loss. Stabilizing your eroding riverbank will provide water quality benefits as well as protect your property. 

Photo: ACD staff with Conservation Corps crew members anchoring a cedar tree into the riverbank. A post pounder is used to drive the tree anchor 3+ feet into the riverbed. 
Photo: Trees are limbed on one side so the trunk is seated into the riverbank. The trees are anchored at the toe-of-bank with the tops of the trees facing downstream. 
Photo: Before conditions of a riverbank at Rum River Woods park with moderate erosion. If left alone the riverbank will continue to erode and likely get worse overtime.  
Photo: After conditions of the Rum River Woods riverbank showing an installed cedar revetment. The revetment provides erosion protection by shingling the trees together, creating a continuous wall.

For more information contact Kris Larson, Water Resource Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Martin Lakeshore Projects Complete!

Photo: Before and after photos of a Martin Lakeshore restoration.

ACD is in the final stages of completing eight shoreline stabilization projects at Martin Lake in Linwood Township. The projects stabilize over 700 linear feet of shoreline. Each project includes a native plant buffer and many include in-lake emergent plants. These projects were funded by the landowners and a grant from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. For more information contact, Watershed Projects Manager, Jamie Schurbon at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Mississippi Community Park Riverbank Stabilization

Approximately 1,500 feet of severely eroding riverbank in the City of Anoka's Mississippi River Community Park was stabilized in late 2021. The project included tree clearing, bank reshaping, riprap, erosion control blanket, seeding, and planting a variety of native plant species. Since installation, the site has been subjected to multiple years of high water levels. Both the riprap on the lower elevations of the bank and the vegetation on the upper elevations have successfully stabilized the site. 

Photo: Mississippi River Community Park, displaying different seasons looking upstream and downstream

Sandbar willows along the top of the rock are filling in densely and provide additional bank stability, wildlife habitat, and a more natural aesthetic to the reconstructed bank. Some of the trees that were planted have struggled, likely due to the 2023 drought, and will continue to be monitored for potential supplemental plantings in the future. Vegetation maintenance is an ongoing process that helps the native species establish. One activity you may observe is mowing to a height of approximately 6" to limit weed species from dispersing seed. For more information contact Mitch Haustein, Shoreline and Stormwater Specialist, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Water Quality Improvement Project Opportunities Identified in Ford Brook Watershed

Ford Brook is a stream tributary to the Rum River draining over 24,000 acres of rural lands in northwestern Anoka County. Nutrient concentrations in Ford Brook regularly exceed state standards for impairment, thereby contributing to excess nutrient loading in the Rum River. Addressing this issue requires watershed-level analyses and an understanding of which best management practice (BMP) would provide the greatest benefit per dollar spent; ACD's Subwatershed Analysis ("SWA") approach does just this.

Photo: Ford Brook Watershed location in northwestern Anoka County.

ACD has completed over 20 urban SWAs in order to strategically plan for BMPs such as stormwater ponds, rain gardens, and subsurface structures treating stormwater runoff. However, replicating this process in rural watersheds, dominated by agriculture, required different tools and techniques; ACD achieved this for the Ford Brook Watershed through the use of desktop analyses, targeted water quality monitoring, field surveys, and a new modeling tool called PTMApp. 

Photo: Cropped field with several candidate projects sited as part of this analysis. 

As a result, over 250 candidate water quality improvement projects were sited within the Ford Brook Watershed. The majority of these are agricultural practices such as cover crops, no-till farming, grassed waterways, water and sediment control basins, and enhanced riparian buffers, but additional practices such as prescribed grazing, wetland restorations, and lakeshore stabilizations were also included. For each practice, anticipated costs and water quality benefits to Ford Brook were generated, and all findings are summarized in detail in the corresponding SWA report. This report will be a valuable asset as we pursue nutrient reduction goals in Ford Brook and, by extension, the Rum River. For more information contact Breanna Keith, Water Resource Specialist at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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